CIF profit up 36 per cent MANCHESTER-based City Invoice Finance increased turnover from £4.8m to £5.5m last year and posted a 36 per cent rise in profits to £700,000. The business, set up in 1998, launched operations in Birmingham during the year.

Bank move BARCLAYS has strengthened its international and private banking division in the north west with the arrival of business development director Glynn Davies, who has previously worked in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Help online STOCKPORT accountants Booth Ainsworth has introduced an online accounting service to help small and medium-sized business clients. It means they will be able to process reports and invoices via www.boothainsworth.co.uk.

Top job KATHRYN Graham, a partner at Cobbetts Solicitors, has been appointed chairman of the Manchester branch of ProHelp, a network of professional firms which help community groups and voluntary organisations.

Promoted HILARY Sharpe has been promoted to tax partner at the Manchester office of accountants and business advisers PKF.